Exemptions

Homestead Exemptions

The deadline for filing an application for a homestead exemption in Athens-Clarke County is April 1. Application for homestead exemption is made with the tax commissioner's office. Failure to apply by the deadline will result in loss of the exemption for that year. Beginning July 1, 2005, application for homestead exemption may be submitted any time during the year but must be received before April 1 of the taxable year to qualify for the exemption that year. If received after April 1, the tax commissioner will activate the exemption the following year.

The State of Georgia offers homestead exemptions to persons that own and occupy their home as a primary residence. Athens-Clarke County offers homestead exemptions that are more beneficial to the taxpayer than the exemptions offered by the state. The local homestead is an additional $8,000 over the standard state exemption. The homestead exemption is deducted from the assessed value (40% of the fair market value) of the home. Then the mill rate is applied to arrive at the amount of ad valorem tax due.

Freeport Exemptions

Athens-Clarke County voters have elected to exempt the total value of the following types of commercial and industrial inventory:

Raw materials and goods in process of manufacture

Finished goods produced in Georgia within the last 12 months

Finished goods stored in Georgia within the last 12 months and destined for shipment out of state

The deadline for filing an application for free port exemption with the Board of Tax Assessors is April 1 to receive the full exemption.

State and Local Homestead Exemptions Offered in Athens-Clarke County

Code

Type

State

County M&O

County Bond

School M&O

School Bond

S1

Regular - Owner-occupied principal residence

$2,000

$10,000

0

$10,000

0

SC

Age 65

100% on home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land and $2,000 on balance of value

$10,000

0

Floating

0

S3

Age 62 - Net Income of applicant and spouse is less than $10,000

$2,000

$10,000

0

$10,000

$10,000

S4

Age 65 - Net Income of applicant and spouse is less than $10,000

100% on home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land and $4,000 on balance of value

$10,000

$4,000

Floating

$10,000

S5

100% disabled veteran; surviving spouse of disabled veteran who has not remarried

$77,307

$77,307

$77,307

$77,307

$77,307

SD

Age 65 - 100% disabled veteran; surviving spouse of disabled veteran who has not remarried

100% on home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land and $70,465 on balance of value

$77,307

$77,307

Floating

$77,307

SS

Surviving spouse of U.S. service member killed in action who has not remarried

$77,307

$77,307

$77,307

$77,307

$77,307

SE

Age 65 - Surviving spouse of U.S. service member killed in action who has not remarried

100% on home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land and $70,465 on balance of value

$77,307

$77,307

Floating

$77,307

SG

Surviving spouse of a firefighter or peace officer killed in the line of duty who has not remarried

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

S6

Age 62 - Federal Adjusted Gross Income of applicant and all other persons residing in the home is less than $30,000

Floating on home and up to five acres of land

Floating on home and up to five acres of land

0

$10,000

0

S8

Age 62 - Federal Adjusted Gross Income of applicant and all other persons residing in the home is less than $30,000 and net income of applicant and spouse is less than $10,000

Floating on home and up to five acres of land

Floating on home and up to five acres of land

0

$10,000

$10,000

S9

Age 65 - Federal Adjusted Gross Income of applicant and all other persons residing in the home is less than $30,000 and net income of applicant and spouse is less than $10,000